5 Ways to Humanize Your Brand On Social Media

On social media, it can sometimes be difficult to show that are a true human…especially if you are running the account for a brand name. With the past 5 decades being run by corporate America, people are now programmed to view brand names as big corporate giants who have no soul and could care less about individual people.

There is a lot of danger in this. Big brands with deep pockets can often afford to take a little nasty hate from people who only see them as rigid brands, because they have the budget and resources to excel in their industry regardless. But if you are running a smaller brand or perhaps just getting your business started, it is vital that every single person whom follows your brand on social media can connect with your brand on some form of a human and emotional level.

Here 5 ways you can make your brand’s voice sound a little more human…

Via BaklaPoako.com

1. Show a sense of humor

Don’t be so “stuck up”. You aren’t a 16 year old girl trying to keep your “mean girl reputation” so none of the geeky boys come and talk to you. You want as many people to talk with you as possible!

Don’t be afraid to post some funny pictures, or memes. You can even add in the occasional “haha” when you are chatting with people.

Show that you (and your brand) can have a good laugh, and people will instantly start to resonate with and trust the brand name more.

Via MacMillanDictionaryBlog.com

2. Use everyday language

Don’t be so dang formal. Avoid using big complicated corporate words that may make you sound smart, but only confuse the every day reader. Remember that the people you are targeting are probably not quite as expert level as you are on the subject you are speaking about.

Don’t make them feel stupid. Speak like an everyday human.

Via TeenAdvisors.org

3. Engage in conversation

This is probably the most important thing. This is the most important thing I stress in all my trainings, to all of my clients, and to anyone who asks me for tips on social media marketing…engage!

Seriously, what’s the point of being on social media if you aren’t going to talk to people? That’s the whole reason social media was created dummie. To allow people anywhere, to talk to anyone.

Don’t be that business owner that uses social media as a way to broadcast news but then doesn’t stick around to listen to feedback or answer questions. Stick around and meet and greet your fans and followers…the whole time! 🙂

Via VerticalResponse.com

4. Surprise your customers

This is a cool way to humanize your brand. Everyone loves surprises and they especially love them from people whom they like. Here’s a story I found on Social Media Examiner…

Morton’s The Steakhouse surprised Peter Shankman when he tweeted that he wished he could get a porterhouse steak at Newark Airport. He tagged Morton’s The Steakhouse (@Mortons) in the tweet and playfully asked them to meet him at the airport. To his complete surprise, Morton’s was there with a steak.

Pretty neat huh? Be out of the ordinary…

Via OnlineCareerTips.com

5. Develop a unique voice

This is something that has been a challenge for me as I build my businesses. I have always read all about the importance of “being yourself” and developing your own voice online, and to this day it can still be challenging. Especially when you are constantly reading stuff and watching videos from successful individuals who all have seen extraordinary success with different personalities.

It makes me wonder what “the right” type of personality is! But, we all know that the right type of personality, is what? Your own!

Accept your own personality and do your best to let that bleed into your social media accounts. Even if you are running the account under a brand name, you can still allow your personal voice to seep through. After all, you want your brand to be a reflection of how awesome you are, right? Make it happen.

Leave A Reply (24 comments so far)

The examples given in the above article are “Golden Rules ” for social media! !
When I decided to join the online masses, my goal was to impact each and every person that interacted with me.,After realizing the challenge of that particular undertaking, I opted for a much more realistic approach! Nds,
I now hope, and have put steps in place to assist in accomplishing this new wish, that the clientele who visit my sites, realize that, I too, am a real person. Just like them, I have children, a husband & pets. I run errands, visit with my friends, try to cook (without burning or following a recipe), healthy – edible meals.
I have found that once the contact makes the connection, they become lifetime customers! !

Alex Hamm
3 years ago

People buy from people they like and are friends! good luck with that cooking 😉

Georgie
3 years ago

I’m in total agreeance with you Alex. Humanizing social media, building real connections instead of just collecting them. Seriously how hard is that? Well from what I have seen over the years it appears numbers are somewhat of a larger priority. From my own experience I prefer the sincere types that are going to engage not just once to informally introduce via social media but are also planning to stay around to engage and interact. Mind you I’m just in the starting phase of launching myself into a new phase of my career, it comes with years of experience in a multitude of areas that are strongly related. One thing I see a lot of, is people just don’t seem reciprocate enough. Thanks for all your sharing, I’m definatley getting a whole new insight into your world and what you do. Love all your tips, they’re a real help!

Cheers,
Georgie – aka – From Magical Beginnings To Enchanted Lives

Alex Hamm
3 years ago

Georgie- really appreciate your comment! Numbers are important, but they are only important if you are capitalizing by actually building real connections.

I think #1, 2, and 5 are huge when you engage in Social Media. If you aren’t “authenticate” when you are engaging in social media people will know, and who really wants to interact with a scripted robot? No one.

If you don’t want to be “Social” on social media then save yourself the time and the effort and focus on another way to network and market “Yourself”, your product, and your services.

Great Article Alex!! Keep up the great work.

Alex Hamm
3 years ago

Thanks so much Chris! Your so right about being authentic, there is no point of SM if you won;t be authentic.

I couldn’t agree more with this post. Social media, Twitter especially, is often flooded with content. While content sharing allows others to see one as a thought leader, it appears robotic if there is no substance behind what you are posting. Through trial and error, we have found that tweeting to the writer of an article and tying it back to your brand works well for B2B brands. This sometimes results in email exchanges and helps develop a relationship with that media writer. Ultimately, being conversational is the way to go, it is refreshing and cuts through the “noise” on social.

Alex Hamm
3 years ago

That’s a great strategy, Stacy. Thanks for your comment. Let me know if you want to collaborate further!

Very insightful article, as well as great advice for anyone trying to build a following on social media!

Alex Hamm
3 years ago

Appreciate your comment Sharon 🙂

Mariken Jansen van Vuuren
3 years ago

I could not agree more. I believe religiously in the Human Brand Theory. If you were your brand, what emotions would you feel, how would you respond to the questions your followers ask you. Would you ignore them or be distant or put on a mask each time they approach you, pretending to be someone you are not? Would you be warm, encouraging and open?

Time and time again I see brands trying to “kill” everything “human” about them in order to portray a certain image of status. I also see advertising agencies encouraging them to do so. When a brand is brave enough to show us their humanity we immediately become open for engagement and it is in that space and frame of mind re-tweets, share and likes happens. As Christine Oser pointed out, the “Golden Rules” for social media. It is after all called “Social” media.